An education scam, a political thriller set in Calcutta, and a story that moves seamlessly between the 1990s and the present day — Arindam Sil’s next film, Korpoor, promises to be a gripping and complex cinematic experience. Based on Dipannita Roy’s novel Antardhaner Nepothhey, the film begins shooting this July and explores a haunting disappearance that reverberates across decades. The film is produced by Friends Communication in association with Kahak Studios.
“With Korpoor (which translates to ‘camphor’ in English — something that evaporates), I’m consciously stepping into a new phase of filmmaking. It’s a sharp departure from the detective narratives I’m often associated with. This film is a political thriller that revolves around the mysterious disappearance of an educational professional in the 1990s, revealing a larger scam. She left home for work one morning and was never seen again. I came across Antardhaner Nepothhey just months ago and the moment I read it, I knew I had to bring it to the screen. I’ve been developing the script for about four months now, and it’s one of the most complex narratives I’ve worked on. The story unfolds across two timelines — 1997 and 2019 — and the screenplay moves back and forth between them constantly. Almost every character exists in both eras, allowing us to explore the long-term ramifications of a buried truth. People who have heard the script are saying that this might be my best till date.”
Rituparna Sengupta plays the role of Mousumi Sen, the woman who disappeared. Her arc being at the heart of this story, Sil said, “Rituparna is one of the finest actors we have — a complete director’s actor — and someone whose tenacity, range, and ability to transform completely into her characters always impresses me. Having worked with her earlier on Maayakumari, I knew I had to cast her again — this time in something far more detailed, political, and emotionally layered.”
The ensemble cast also includes Bratya Basu, Kunal Ghosh, Ananya Banerjee, Saheb Chatterjee, among others. Sil himself returns to acting as Mousumi’s husband. He describes the storytelling as “unique — a nonlinear narrative weaving past and present, rich with layered dialogue and emotional ambiguity.”
Bratya Basu
Speaking from Mumbai, Rituparna Sengupta shared her thoughts on the project: “When Arindam first reached out to me with Korpoor, he said he had something extraordinary in mind — something very different, and written with me at its core. We’ve known each other for years, and while we haven’t worked together often, one of our earlier collaborations remains a personal highlight in my career. I think we have acted together more often than he has directed me! This, in a way, felt like a full-circle moment — a chance to work with an old friend on something bold and meaningful. I found the narrative both complex and gripping. That’s what I always look for in a role — complexity, challenge, the scope to immerse myself. I like characters that test me, that don’t offer an easy way out.”
She added, “And yes, there is pressure when a director writes a role specifically with you in mind — but it’s the kind of pressure I thrive on. I’ve said it before: if the weight of the role isn’t sitting squarely on my shoulders, I can’t give it my best. I want that pressure, that responsibility. It keeps me grounded, curious, and constantly evolving. There’s so much emotional layering to Mousumi, someone who existed in the 1990s but whose story echoes into the present. That was a significant decade for me as well — I began my film career then, won my National Award, found my voice as an artiste. So in many ways, tapping into that period is also tapping into a personal archive of memories. It’s nostalgic, but not distant.”
Rituparna added that some of the finest actors are part of the ensemble. “The way the characters interweave will make Korpoor both sophisticated and searing. The themes are weighty, but important. And I believe the audience today is ready for stories like this, stories that reflect the society we live in while also questioning it. At this point in my career, I’m very conscious of the roles I take on. I want to ensure they feel relevant, rooted, and resonant.”